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Former local TV anchor vying to replace state Rep. Olson in West Fargo

Austen Schauer, a former TV news anchor, announced Wednesday, Jan. 3, that he's running as a Republican for the District 13 House seat. District 13 encompasses West Fargo and adjacent areas.2 / 2

FARGO — Longtime television news anchor Austen Schauer has announced he is running for the North Dakota House of Representatives in November.

Schauer told Jim Shaw, guest host of the "Mike McFeely Show" on WDAY-AM on Wednesday, Jan. 3, that he will run as a Republican for the District 13 House seat. District 13 encompasses West Fargo and adjacent areas.

Schauer said he was asked by the current representative for District 13, Christopher Olson, to run. Olson has served since 2015 but announced last week he will not seek re-election.

"I thought to myself, why not?" Schauer said. "I've been here a long time. When you care about something, you want to be involved. This is my opportunity to serve."

Since April 2017, Schauer has worked as business development manager for ProSource Staffing and Recruiting in Fargo. He works with businesses seeking employees to fill positions.

He worked in television news from 1977 until 2013. He worked at WDAZ in Grand Forks from 1977 until 1980, while attending the University of North Dakota. He worked as an anchor at WDAY in Fargo from 1980 until 2000, and then as an anchor at KVRR from 2000 to 2013.

He left KVRR to become director of community relations for Park Christian School in Moorhead, a position he held until February 2017.

Schauer, 60, grew up in Portland, Ore., and Sacramento, Calif., before moving to Dickinson, N.D., in 1975 to attend Dickinson State College. His father grew up in Ashley, N.D., but became a minister, which required him to serve congregations in different locations.

Schauer has lived in West Fargo for 13 years. He and his wife, Angie, have three adult children and nine grandchildren. They have been married for 39 years.